Skywatchers to Enjoy Perseid Meteor Shower and Solar Eclipse Next Week

WHO:

Global News - Pierre Langlois, manager for the space astronomy and planetary science missions at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Forbes - American Meteor Society.

WHAT:

Global News - The Perseid meteor shower is described as “the best meteor shower of the year” by the CSA.

Global News - The peak viewing night for the Perseid meteor shower is set for Aug. 12 to 13.

Forbes - A partial solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 12, with millions of Americans witnessing it.

Forbes - The Perseid meteor shower can produce up to 100 meteors per hour under dark skies.

Forbes - The deepest eclipse will be visible in Fairbanks, Alaska, and northern Maine.

WHERE:

Global News - The Perseid meteor shower will be visible across Canada.

Global News - Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to have the clearest view of the partial solar eclipse.

Forbes - Twenty-six U.S. states will see at least some of the partial solar eclipse.

Forbes - Best U.S. locations for viewing the double event include rural areas of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and upstate New York.

WHEN:

Forbes - The partial solar eclipse will occur on Aug. 12, with specific times ranging from 7:34–9:31 a.m. AKDT in Alaska to 10:27 a.m. MDT in Montana/North Dakota and 2:52 p.m. EDT in Maine.

Forbes - The Perseid meteor shower peaks between 2–4 a.m. local time on Aug. 13.

WHY:

Global News - The Perseid meteor shower occurs due to the Earth passing through debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle.

Global News - A partial solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth but they are not perfectly aligned.

HOW:

Global News - Observers are advised to use solar eclipse glasses to view the partial solar eclipse safely.

Global News - For the Perseid meteor shower, viewers should find a dark sky, lie on their backs, and allow their eyes to adapt to the darkness for at least 30 minutes.

(UPDATED August 8, 2026 03:02 UTC)

The Canadian Space Agency has announced that the Perseid meteor shower, often hailed as the best meteor shower of the year, will peak on the night of August 12 to 13, producing up to 100 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. On the same night, a partial solar eclipse will occur, with millions of Americans able to witness it, particularly in areas like Fairbanks, Alaska, and northern Maine, where the eclipse will be most visible. Observers are encouraged to use solar eclipse glasses for safe viewing of the eclipse and to find a dark location to enjoy the meteor shower, allowing their eyes to adjust to the darkness for the best experience.